Elementor alternatives for developers for websites in 2025


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MaxiBlocks one of the Elementor alternatives for developers

Elementor alternatives for developers: Build flexible, fast websites in 2025

Why developers look for Elementor alternatives

Why MaxiBlocks is built for developers

Key MaxiBlocks features

Unlimited site usage

There are no domain restrictions. Developers can install MaxiBlocks on unlimited client sites without worrying about licences, making it a solid choice for freelancers and agencies.

Six responsive breakpoints

Native custom CSS

You can write custom CSS directly within the builder. Attach styles to individual blocks or apply them globally using the built-in stylesheet system. This gives you flexibility without needing extra plugins.

Lightweight performance

MaxiBlocks outputs clean HTML and avoids bloated wrappers. It doesn’t load unnecessary scripts unless you’re using features that require them, which results in faster load times and better Core Web Vitals.

Full-site editing support

Advanced layout and style tools

Developer-friendly export tools

You can export any block, section, or full page for use on another site. This allows for a modular workflow and faster multi-site builds.

Open-source and community driven

Because MaxiBlocks is open-source, developers can contribute features or fork it for their own needs. You’re never locked in, and the platform evolves with community feedback.

Use case example

A freelance developer needed to build ten landing pages for different SaaS clients. Using MaxiBlocks’ reusable blocks and six breakpoints, they reduced build time by nearly 50% while maintaining mobile-first performance across devices.

Elementor alternatives for developers
Elementor alternatives for developers

Gutenberg: Core-native and performance focused

Built into WordPress core

No extra plugin installation required. Gutenberg is supported and maintained by the WordPress team, making it a stable choice for long-term projects.

Custom block creation

Developers can register their own blocks using JavaScript or PHP. Tools like ACF Blocks or Block API make this even easier.

Full-site editing ready

Theme.json for global styles

Instead of overriding styles with CSS, developers can define global design tokens using a theme.json file. This improves consistency and simplifies theme development.

Developer use case

An in-house dev team used Gutenberg + theme.json to build a performance-focused blog theme. By avoiding third-party builders, they achieved a 98 Google PageSpeed score on mobile.

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Brizy: Simple UI with developer flexibility

Intuitive interface

Fast visual editing without endless nested menus. Perfect for rapid prototyping or client handover.

Global styling system

Apply fonts, colours, and spacing sitewide with a single update. Developers can add custom breakpoints and styling rules.

Clean code output

Brizy avoids shortcode clutter, reducing time spent cleaning up HTML or applying overrides.

Developer use case

A digital studio used Brizy to rapidly deliver a new microsite for a product launch. Global styling and pre-built sections cut build time in half, while allowing for advanced customisation via CSS.

Beaver Builder: Stable, trusted, and extendable

Beaver Builder has built a reputation for reliability and developer-friendly tools.

White-label and multisite friendly

Perfect for agencies building sites under their own brand or managing large site networks.

Extendable via PHP

You can build your own custom modules or hook into its layout system using clean PHP functions.

Clean HTML and lightweight CSS

Developer use case

SiteOrigin Page Builder: Lightweight and open-source

This old-school builder is still popular among developers who want simplicity and control.

Works with any theme

Unlike some builders that lock you into their ecosystem, SiteOrigin works with virtually any WordPress theme.

Widget and layout-based system

Simple drag-and-drop interface powered by WordPress widgets. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective.

Built-in custom CSS editor

No plugin needed to add styling. Just target your rows or widgets and write the CSS right there.

Developer use case

A university web team used SiteOrigin to update 40+ department websites. The low-resource footprint and theme flexibility made it the ideal builder for long-term support and maintenance.

Divi one of the Elementor alternatives for developers
Divi one of the Elementor alternatives for developers

Divi Builder: Visual power with developer control

Divi Builder is a long-standing favourite for designers and developers who want advanced design tools and robust theme integration.

Visual front-end editing

Divi’s real-time visual editor allows developers to design and adjust layouts directly on the page, streamlining the editing process.

Built-in custom code controls

Developers can add custom CSS and JavaScript directly to elements, rows, or globally ideal for integrating scripts or styling overrides without leaving the builder.

Dynamic content and theme builder

With its built-in Theme Builder, Divi allows developers to design templates for posts, pages, archives, headers, and footers using dynamic content.

Developer use case

A freelance developer used Divi to build a multilingual site for a law firm. With Divi’s Theme Builder and built-in translation controls, they completed the project 30% faster than a similar Elementor build.

Can these free alternatives handle complex projects?

Build like a pro

Limitations of free page builders

While free page builders are powerful, they do have some limitations. You might find fewer advanced features compared to paid versions, and there could be some restrictions on the level of customisation available. However, for many developers, the free versions offer more than enough functionality to create a professional website. It’s important to assess your specific needs and see if these free tools can meet them before considering a paid option.

How MaxiBlocks stands out

MaxiBlocks distinguishes itself by providing a comprehensive set of features entirely for free. It includes a wide range of custom blocks, a vast design library, and responsive design capabilities. Its commitment to being a free tool makes it particularly appealing for developers looking to build beautiful websites without incurring high costs. The extensive design options and user-friendly interface make it a top choice for those wanting to create unique and professional websites easily.

Final thoughts

Discover the best Elementor alternatives for WordPress

Explore a complete collection of Elementor alternatives with tips, comparisons, and tutorials for every type of WordPress site.

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FAQs: Elementor alternatives for developers

Why should developers consider alternatives to Elementor?

What are the best Elementor alternatives for developers?

How does MaxiBlocks serve developers?

MaxiBlocks integrates with the native Gutenberg editor, supports full-site editing, and outputs lightweight, clean code. Developers can build scalable, fast-loading sites and reuse custom patterns or layout kits across projects. It’s especially useful for developers who want to work inside the WordPress framework without relying on heavy third-party builders.

Can I add custom code with these alternatives?

Yes most developer-focused builders allow you to insert custom HTML, CSS or JavaScript. Tools like Oxygen and Bricks go even further, offering advanced developer panels, code editors and dynamic data binding, making them highly customisable for advanced use cases.

Are these alternatives compatible with custom themes?

Do Elementor alternatives offer better performance?

Generally, yes. Many alternatives focus on speed and clean markup. For example, GenerateBlocks and MaxiBlocks are known for their lightweight structure, while Oxygen disables unnecessary WordPress features to deliver optimised performance. This can lead to faster load times and better Core Web Vitals scores.

Which alternatives support full-site editing?

MaxiBlocks, Bricks Builder and GenerateBlocks (when used with a block theme) all support full-site editing. This allows developers to build headers, footers and template parts using the block editor making it easier to maintain design consistency across a site.

Can I use these builders for client projects?

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What Elementor alternative is best for developers? 

Developers will find MaxiBlocks a helpful Elementor alternative. It produces clean HTML and CSS, avoids shortcode clutter, and is open source, giving full flexibility for custom development. 

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What Elementor alternative fits small business needs? 

MaxiBlocks is a smart Elementor alternative for small businesses. It is easy to set up, includes ready-to-use layouts, and helps you launch a professional website without high costs or technical hurdles. 

Want to read more? 

Author-Kyra

Kyra Pieterse

Author

Kyra is the co-founder and creative lead of MaxiBlocks, an open-source page builder for WordPress Gutenberg.

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